Posts tagged pencil

These multifunctional pencils were created Trevor Duncan as Pencil Works. They were on display this week at NYC’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Each pencil included an alternate tool including a handsaw, magnifying glass, protractor, paintbrush and others. Quite clever and beautifully constructed. (via Gizmodo) Original Article

These multifunctional pencils were created Trevor Duncan as Pencil Works. They were on display this week at NYC’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Each pencil included an alternate tool including a handsaw, magnifying glass, protractor, paintbrush and others. Quite clever and beautifully constructed.

(via Gizmodo)

Original Article

You may recall the megaton of vintage office supplies I got last week? Well… that wasn’t everything. In my opinion, I saved the best for last. In the bounty was not one but eight different advertising mechanical pencils all from Autopoint. Yep, the same company that is still in business making the beloved Twinpoint. These little gems were all in mint condition and came from the same collection so they all feature Midwestern businesses. Each pencil advertises a bank, farm co-op or machinery company, much to my delight. There are two sizes of pencil as well, the regular sized which is comparable in diameter to a hexagonal pencil and the jumbo which is a bit thicker and more similar to the size of a “manly” fountain pen. Both sizes of pencil are still available through the Autopoint web site and cost $4.50 each. Replacement leads and erasers are also available if you happen upon any of these vintage gems that need a refill. Original Article

You may recall the megaton of vintage office supplies I got last week? Well… that wasn’t everything. In my opinion, I saved the best for last. In the bounty was not one but eight different advertising mechanical pencils all from Autopoint. Yep, the same company that is still in business making the beloved Twinpoint.

These little gems were all in mint condition and came from the same collection so they all feature Midwestern businesses. Each pencil advertises a bank, farm co-op or machinery company, much to my delight.

There are two sizes of pencil as well, the regular sized which is comparable in diameter to a hexagonal pencil and the jumbo which is a bit thicker and more similar to the size of a “manly” fountain pen.

Both sizes of pencil are still available through the Autopoint web site and cost $4.50 each. Replacement leads and erasers are also available if you happen upon any of these vintage gems that need a refill.

Original Article

Link Love: Oh so late but oh so bountiful!

Pencil news:

Pen News:

  • Three shades of green Lamy (via The Writing Desk)
  • Even the proprietress of Lovely Bicycle occasionally needs to jot a few things down. Of course, she does it in style:

Other stuff:

Shout outs to all my Twitter contacts for keeping me posted about reviews, products and all sorts of fun goodies. Follow me or keep in the loop at @wellapptdesk.

Original Article

I have been eyeballing the deluxe version of the Perfect Pencil for years with the aluminum cap and luminous golden pencils but a set starts at $50 but can go up to $500 for the platinum version. This Perfect Pencil, on the other hand, was purchased for $30HK (about $4US) and the set of three refills for $15HK ($2US) at LOG-ON in Hong Kong. I suspect that there’s a bit more “perfect” in those higher end versions but I was willing to take a chance for $6. This Perfect Pencil is a fully-rounded black-on-black pencil with a pale grey stamp of the trademark and “Faber-Castell”. While I don’t normally prefer rounded pencils the matte finish makes it comfortable to hold. The pencil came with a red plastic cap with a black grooved end that can be popped open to reveal a built-in pencil sharpener that doubles as an extender. The first thing I noticed is that the pencil and the replacements are much shorter (5”) than the average unsharpened pencil (7”-7.5”). I would consider the five inch length to be that pencil “sweet spot” when you’ve had a pencil for awhile and its been sharpened a few times so its at that perfectly balanced length. But, since this is an actually wood pencil that will require additionally sharpening, it won’t stay this length forever. The cap/sharpener can be posted on the end of the pencil like a fountain pen cap to extend the length of the pencil but I find that it throws off the balance of the pencil, at least at its current length. The cap also covers up the eraser. The cap/extender fits snugly over the pencil and protects the point when traveling. There is a small rubber ring inside the cap to keep the cap on the pencil. I tested it and the cap/extender can be used with other non-Perfect Pencils (including hexagonals), if you’re so inclined. I did not find any information about the hardness grade of this pencil but I would guess its around a B or HB. The higher end versions list the pencil grade as B so I suspect these are as well. The pencil really does write smoothly and the eraser on the end is adequate (which, in the world of pencils, is quite high praise). The sharpener works well and has a visible screw so theoretically it could be replaced if it got dull though I’m not sure where proper sized blades might be found. I wonder if the aluminum cap/extender on the higher priced versions is lighter than the plastic cap. While I find it convenient for protecting and sharpening I can’t get past how much heavier it makes the pencil. In general, I don’t find this pencil perfect but merely nice. I think the actual pencil quality could be improved. Compared with the Castell 9000 HB, the Perfect Pencil was noticeably scratchier on the same paper stock. For a different perspective, check out Economy Pens’s review on a different version of the budget Perfect Pencil and Pencil Talk’s 9-part series on the Perfect Pencils. Original Article

I have been eyeballing the deluxe version of the Perfect Pencil for years with the aluminum cap and luminous golden pencils but a set starts at $50 but can go up to $500 for the platinum version. This Perfect Pencil, on the other hand, was purchased for $30HK (about $4US) and the set of three refills for $15HK ($2US) at LOG-ON in Hong Kong. I suspect that there’s a bit more “perfect” in those higher end versions but I was willing to take a chance for $6.

This Perfect Pencil is a fully-rounded black-on-black pencil with a pale grey stamp of the trademark and “Faber-Castell”. While I don’t normally prefer rounded pencils the matte finish makes it comfortable to hold.

The pencil came with a red plastic cap with a black grooved end that can be popped open to reveal a built-in pencil sharpener that doubles as an extender. The first thing I noticed is that the pencil and the replacements are much shorter (5”) than the average unsharpened pencil (7”-7.5”). I would consider the five inch length to be that pencil “sweet spot” when you’ve had a pencil for awhile and its been sharpened a few times so its at that perfectly balanced length. But, since this is an actually wood pencil that will require additionally sharpening, it won’t stay this length forever. The cap/sharpener can be posted on the end of the pencil like a fountain pen cap to extend the length of the pencil but I find that it throws off the balance of the pencil, at least at its current length. The cap also covers up the eraser.

The cap/extender fits snugly over the pencil and protects the point when traveling. There is a small rubber ring inside the cap to keep the cap on the pencil. I tested it and the cap/extender can be used with other non-Perfect Pencils (including hexagonals), if you’re so inclined.

I did not find any information about the hardness grade of this pencil but I would guess its around a B or HB. The higher end versions list the pencil grade as B so I suspect these are as well. The pencil really does write smoothly and the eraser on the end is adequate (which, in the world of pencils, is quite high praise).

The sharpener works well and has a visible screw so theoretically it could be replaced if it got dull though I’m not sure where proper sized blades might be found.

I wonder if the aluminum cap/extender on the higher priced versions is lighter than the plastic cap. While I find it convenient for protecting and sharpening I can’t get past how much heavier it makes the pencil. In general, I don’t find this pencil perfect but merely nice. I think the actual pencil quality could be improved. Compared with the Castell 9000 HB, the Perfect Pencil was noticeably scratchier on the same paper stock.

For a different perspective, check out Economy Pens’s review on a different version of the budget Perfect Pencil and Pencil Talk’s 9-part series on the Perfect Pencils.

Original Article

I had the good fortune of getting to attend the first-ever Spectrum Live art expo. While I was dazzled by the art and starstruck by the artists, I couldn’t help but peek at whatever tools each artist was using to doodle or autograph. Some made me shiver (really, a Bic ballpoint?!?! Your art deserves a better tool!), some made me boggle (What mechanical pencil is that??). I met two lovely artists who were willing to share a peek inside their tool kits. Archer Dougherty and Chris Ryniak were kind enough to show me their favorite tools so without further ado… Archer’s kit was a large zip pouch whose previous life may have been as a document case or iPad sleeve. She said she loved just throwing her tools into the bag with a book or sketchbook and not treating them as particularly precious. She was sitting quietly drawing with a simple lightweight Zebra mechanical pencil which she admitted to preferring when she was out and about because it did not require sharpening and always kept a sharp point. In stark contrast Chris Ryniak carried his tools in a very organized pen roll. His favorite tool was a newly acquired matte Zebra Sharbo X LT3 in orange flame. He praised his Pentel Twist-Erase 0.5 mechanical pencil for the large and wholly usable eraser, to which I can agree. He also showed me his Zebra Hi-McKee markers which he liberated on his last trip to Japan and which he loves. It seems to be a marker comparable to a Sharpie though I have not found much additional information about it. Anyone have personal experience with these? As both artists were busy fielding questions and comments from actual art-buying customers, I didn’t get to ask them all the questions I might have wanted but I am grateful for their time and generosity. Hope you enjoyed the peek into their kits as well! Original Article

I had the good fortune of getting to attend the first-ever Spectrum Live art expo. While I was dazzled by the art and starstruck by the artists, I couldn’t help but peek at whatever tools each artist was using to doodle or autograph. Some made me shiver (really, a Bic ballpoint?!?! Your art deserves a better tool!), some made me boggle (What mechanical pencil is that??).

I met two lovely artists who were willing to share a peek inside their tool kits. Archer Dougherty and Chris Ryniak were kind enough to show me their favorite tools so without further ado…

Archer’s kit was a large zip pouch whose previous life may have been as a document case or iPad sleeve. She said she loved just throwing her tools into the bag with a book or sketchbook and not treating them as particularly precious. She was sitting quietly drawing with a simple lightweight Zebra mechanical pencil which she admitted to preferring when she was out and about because it did not require sharpening and always kept a sharp point.

In stark contrast Chris Ryniak carried his tools in a very organized pen roll. His favorite tool was a newly acquired matte Zebra Sharbo X LT3 in orange flame.

He praised his Pentel Twist-Erase 0.5 mechanical pencil for the large and wholly usable eraser, to which I can agree.

He also showed me his Zebra Hi-McKee markers which he liberated on his last trip to Japan and which he loves. It seems to be a marker comparable to a Sharpie though I have not found much additional information about it. Anyone have personal experience with these?

As both artists were busy fielding questions and comments from actual art-buying customers, I didn’t get to ask them all the questions I might have wanted but I am grateful for their time and generosity. Hope you enjoyed the peek into their kits as well!

Original Article

The Staedtler WOPEX pencil was found because it was coated in my favorite shade of lime green. I was drawn to it across a sea of writing tools at CN Square in Hong Kong. It is about five stories of office supplies, art supplies and paper goods that would make most of my fellow readers weep with joy. Unfortunately funds and suitcase-space was getting desperately low so I had to appease my office supply lust with just the fewest of items but I could not pass this lowly little pencil without purchasing it. For one, the surface of the pencil had a slightly rubbery texture on its hexagonal shape. The finish has a light metallic sheen. The cap end is unfinished, no paint or metal cap and clearly no eraser. Then looking more closely at the pre-sharpened point, I noticed an absence of wood grain. When I took it home and started writing with the WOPEX, I discovered that, when sharpened, it created long, tight curls of shavings. If you’ve ever wanted to sharpen a pencil and have a perfect little curl of pencil shaving, then this is the pencil for you. But what is this strange creature? According to the Staedtler web site, the WOPEX (wood pencil extrusion) is an innovative new, natural fiber material made from wood extrusion using 70 % real wood that more efficiently utilizes wood material. Staedtler goes on to tout some of the advantages of this pencil: a completely solvent-free production process excellent lead stability and break resistance and higher write-out length as a comparable wood-cased pencil I liked writing with it for the exterior texture and lightweight handling but I was not wowed by the writing quality. I missed the true wood casing for its fine cedar smell. The lead didn’t feel particularly pleasant on the paper. This pencil kept making me think of those cheap pencils I got for school standardized test-taking when I was a kid. My 12-year-old self would have loved the sparkly fairy-green pencil that I could jam a big novelty eraser on the end. But adult self though just thought, “Meh.” Other reviews about this pencil can be found over at Scription and Pencil Talk. I purchased this WOPEX for $4HK ($0.80US). If you’re dying yo try one, CultPens in the UK carries the WOPEX for £0.76 ($1.20US) (This pen was tested on the Miquelrius medium flexible 300 grid paper book purchased from B+N.) Original Article

The Staedtler WOPEX pencil was found because it was coated in my favorite shade of lime green. I was drawn to it across a sea of writing tools at CN Square in Hong Kong. It is about five stories of office supplies, art supplies and paper goods that would make most of my fellow readers weep with joy. Unfortunately funds and suitcase-space was getting desperately low so I had to appease my office supply lust with just the fewest of items but I could not pass this lowly little pencil without purchasing it.

For one, the surface of the pencil had a slightly rubbery texture on its hexagonal shape. The finish has a light metallic sheen. The cap end is unfinished, no paint or metal cap and clearly no eraser. Then looking more closely at the pre-sharpened point, I noticed an absence of wood grain. When I took it home and started writing with the WOPEX, I discovered that, when sharpened, it created long, tight curls of shavings. If you’ve ever wanted to sharpen a pencil and have a perfect little curl of pencil shaving, then this is the pencil for you. But what is this strange creature?

According to the Staedtler web site, the WOPEX (wood pencil extrusion) is an innovative new, natural fiber material made from wood extrusion using 70 % real wood that more efficiently utilizes wood material. Staedtler goes on to tout some of the advantages of this pencil:

  • a completely solvent-free production process
  • excellent lead stability and break resistance and
  • higher write-out length as a comparable wood-cased pencil

I liked writing with it for the exterior texture and lightweight handling but I was not wowed by the writing quality. I missed the true wood casing for its fine cedar smell. The lead didn’t feel particularly pleasant on the paper. This pencil kept making me think of those cheap pencils I got for school standardized test-taking when I was a kid. My 12-year-old self would have loved the sparkly fairy-green pencil that I could jam a big novelty eraser on the end. But adult self though just thought, “Meh.”

Other reviews about this pencil can be found over at Scription and Pencil Talk.

I purchased this WOPEX for $4HK ($0.80US). If you’re dying yo try one, CultPens in the UK carries the WOPEX for £0.76 ($1.20US)

(This pen was tested on the Miquelrius medium flexible 300 grid paper book purchased from B+N.)

Original Article

Vintage Office Supply Overdose

Scripto

My husband’s friend was kind enough to pass along an enormous collection of vintage office supplies from her father and grandfather’s collection.

vintage mechanical pencil

The Denver Post pencil, the fountain pen, ruler and letter opener belonged to her grandfather, Carl P. Stangel, who was an architect in Omaha, NE. Many of the other pieces came from her father who was a bookkeeper near Salina, KS.

Vintage pencils

vintage ruler with case

Vintage office goodies

Vintage flat plastic pencil

Vintage flat plastic pencil

Ritepoint

This was such a massive haul, I’m going to have to save a few of the other pieces for a future post. Stay tuned!

Original Article

Incense Cedar Sierra Slip-On: Nice pencil, revolting name

Sierra Mechanical writing sample

The Incense Cedar Sierra Slip-On, the mechanical pencil with the unfortunate name, is a classic hexagonal wooden pencil that has been hollowed out and replaced with a standard mechanical mechanism. This pencil combines the best of both worlds — the fine smell of cedar wood, comfortable and classic look of the hexagonal and the no-sharpener-needed ease of mechanical pencils. It can be loaded with a few extra leads of your favorite hardness for travel and long use. The pink eraser works tolerably well but the pressure to erase may cause the lead to advance since its a click-advance mechanism.

I find this pencil aesthetically pleasing but the eraser, like most erasers-on-the-end-of-pencils erasers, proves a bit of disappointment because it advances the leads. Its novel and I like it and will use it but its not going to be my go-to mechanical pencil.

Purchased at City’Super in Hong Kong for approx. $32HK (about $4 US). A pink version is available for Stationery Art.

Incense Cedar Sierra Mechanical pencil

Sierra Mechanical pencil details

Sierra Mechanical pencil eraser

Original Article

The perfect fashion accessory for the Pencil Set. This solid sterling beauty even uses a KUM sharpener with replaceable blade. $225 (via handmade charlotte ) Original Article

The perfect fashion accessory for the Pencil Set. This solid sterling beauty even uses a KUM sharpener with replaceable blade. $225

(via handmade charlotte )

Original Article

From the design team, Suck UK comes this rainbow of graphite pencils sprouting out of a giant gray cloud eraser. $15 (via UrbanOutfitters) Original Article

From the design team, Suck UK comes this rainbow of graphite pencils sprouting out of a giant gray cloud eraser. $15

(via UrbanOutfitters)

Original Article